As I explained last week, I hold two positions at BC Cancer – Kelowna as both a Radiation Oncologist and the Regional Medical Leader for the Interior. These two positions allow for diverse work and the opportunity to connect with a variety of patients. WE STRIVE TO ALWAYS IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE My work with patients is what drives me each day. Some of the most important insights and learning stem from my work with patients and have inspired work in my regional medical director role to keep us moving forward and improving the system of cancer care. Together with the Senior Director of...

Hello, my name is Dr. Ross Halperin. I am a Radiation Oncologist and Regional Medical Director of BC Cancer - Kelowna. It has been nearly five years since my last blog post and I have witnessed a lot of progress at BC Cancer and in cancer treatment. Our forward momentum gives me a lot hope that we’re changing outcomes for cancer patients in B.C. and around the world. WE’RE MAKING REAL PROGRESS In 2014, treatment options for patients were developing and my peers and I were energized with our search for better care tools. Today, thanks to a community of donors who have contributed to medical...

Thank you to Dr. Allan Hovan for sharing the critical importance of oral health in relation to cancer outcomes. We are so grateful to our donors who have supported the development of a new dental clinic at BC Cancer – Abbotsford. Our fundraising continues and once we achieve our goal, this facility will enable the team to offer world class care closer to home. I am pleased to introduce our guest blogger for May, Dr. Ross Halperin, Medical Director, BC Cancer – Kelowna. Dr. Halperin is a radiation oncologist and long-time leader with BC Cancer. He’ll share exciting insights into leading-edge...

Hello, My name is Dr. Allan Hovan. I’m the provincial practice leader for oral oncology/dentistry at BC Cancer, a position I’ve held for the past 15 years. I also serve as the president of the International Society of Oral Oncology. As part of my role at BC Cancer, I oversee oral care for cancer patients across the province, as well as spearhead new research to push the dial for treatment. It’s a rewarding role that is very patient-focused. Every day I see the extraordinary difference our staff makes in the lives of those affected by this disease. Dr. Allan Hovan. I hope to share with you a...

Thank you to Dr. Jonathan Loree for updating our community on the latest in colorectal cancer research and care. It is concerning to learn colorectal cancer diagnoses are on the rise in young people, as Dr. Loree explained . Still, I’m confident that through continued philanthropy our efforts to improve detection and treatment will improve these sobering statistics. I am pleased to welcome Dr. Allan Hovan, provincial professional practice leader for oral oncology and dentistry at BC Cancer, to our blog for April. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Hovan will share his efforts to...

In addition to the research I mentioned last week, we are also enrolling patients in clinical trials focused on improving outcomes. For example, we have a trial evaluating targeted drugs for patients with a particular mutation in their colorectal cancer called BRAF V600E. BRAF mutations are noted in five to ten per cent of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancers with this mutation are much more aggressive. Patients with it generally have a poor prognosis. We are part of a large international effort to see if we can develop better treatments for patients with this...

I mentioned last week that a number of exciting developments are taking place for colorectal cancer research and care. Our hope is that through these projects, we’ll be able to better understand this disease, with the end goal of improving outcomes for the roughly 4,000 diagnosed every year in British Columbia. Today, I’ll tell you a bit more about these developments. new trial provides deeper insight on treatment plans We recently completed a cross-Canada clinical trial testing immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. Previously, it has been shown that immunotherapy works for the five per cent...

Hello, My name is Dr. Jonathan Loree. I’m a medical oncologist at BC Cancer, specializing in gastrointestinal cancer treatment and research. It is my first time blogging for the BC Cancer Foundation. This month is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and I’m excited to share with our community the latest advancements in this field. Colorectal cancer remains one of the most common and lethal cancer types in our province, affecting close to 4,000 British Columbians every year. Promising new research now underway is helping us understand the disease and how it develops in different patients. This...

Thank you to Dr. Stephen Lam for sharing the results of his game-changing study on lung cancer incidence and screening. It is pleasing to hear of the significant strides BC Cancer has made in this area, and how our donors continue to help bring forth new prevention and treatment strategies. I am pleased to welcome Dr. Jonathan Loree, medical oncologist, to our blog for the month of March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Loree is a new recruit to BC Cancer, where he specializes in colorectal cancer research and care. He will share a number of exciting initiatives underway to improve...

While lung cancer continues to be among the deadliest diseases today, we know this will change as we find new and more effective ways to detect it earlier. Indeed, we estimate that approximately 80 per cent of those with lung cancer may survive if caught at an earlier stage. As we look toward the future, there are many projects in the works that will help achieve this aim. Using the breath to detect cancer risk With generous support from the BC Cancer Foundation and its donors, we hope to establish what we call a Breathomics laboratory that will detect cancer risk in the breath. The body...